This classic 14th Century Medieval Sword has been reinterpreted many times in the modern world. This design is based on a knightly Medieval sword of type XVI classification, with some unique features. This type was developed as a response to the plate-reinforced mail armour of the early 14th century. With a strong tapering blade, broad upper half and acute point, not only did this Medieval Sword deliver devastating cuts, but the sharp tip made this the quintessential thrusting weapon.

This Type XVI Medieval battle ready sword can be hard to distinguish from type XIV, but the lower part is almost exclusively of pronounced diamond cross-section – more so than on the XIV. This provides a stiff thrusting point while retaining good cutting ability. The blades has a distinctive fuller extending a little over half the length of the blade. As a general remark on the Type XVI battle ready sword, Ewart Oakeshott wrote that :

The most striking thing about these blades is that they seem very clearly to be made to serve the dual purpose of cutting and thrusting while the point is acute enough even to penetrate plate armour, there was enough width and edge at the ‘center of percussion’ or ‘optimal striking point’ to enable the blade to strike a very powerful sheating blow**. – Ewart Oakeshott “The Sword in the Age of Chivalry. P, 61.

In addition to the classic fullered blade and relatively plain curved guard, this 14th Century Medieval sword has an interesting inscription on the pommel. The Latin text reads, “Mai vos ostendo bonitatis, sinceritatis et clementia ad vestri inimicatus et omne vivum entis.” Translated, it says, “May you show honor, integrity and compassion to your enemies and all living things.” A truly chivalrous ideal for a knight to live up to, and a stirring reminder for us in modern times.

** Two instances of sword-thrust penetrating plate amror are recounted by Froissard. Writting on an incident during the pursuit after the battle of Poitiers in 1356, Froissard wrote that “When the Lord of Berkeley had followed for some time, John de Hellenes turned about, put his sword under his arms in the manner of a lance, and thus advanced upon his adversary who, taking his sword by the handle, flourished it, and lifted up his arm to strike the squire as he passed. John de Hellenes, seeing the inteded stroke, avoided it, but did not miss his own. For as they passed each other, by a blow on the arms he made Lord Berkeley’s sword fall to the ground. When the Knight found that he had lost his sword, and that the squire retained his own, he dismounted and made for the place where his sword lay. But before he could get there, the squire gave him a violent thrust, which passed through both of his thighs so that he fell to the ground.”